Should You Get a Massage after Boxing Training?

Boxing is a demanding sport. Boxers need to be skillful, powerful, agile, athletic and have good timing. They achieve this through rigorous training, a healthy diet and being given ample time to recover.

A boxer’s recovery time is crucial. They need to heal fast during training and after a match. If not, their careers may not be as successful. For this reason, professional boxers incorporate therapeutic massage sessions into their training regime. Most boxers get massages during training, before a match, and after a match.

If you’re an amateur or simply an enthusiast, do you also need a massage after training?

HOW DO PROFESSIONAL BOXERS BENEFIT FROM MASSAGES?

For professionals boxers, an invigorating massage before a competition can help the muscles get ready. Thus, they can perform at their best.

A massage after the fight is beneficial to help relax and recover. Soreness, injury, and dysfunction are minimized. Recovery time is increased. Pain experienced from injury is lessened. It also helps move toxins out of the body faster.

DO YOU NEED A MASSAGE AFTER BOXING TRAINING?

Do you feel sorer than the usual? That’s the first thing you should ask yourself. If you don’t, then rest first. Don’t get a massage right away.

People normally get sore when they do something that is beyond their body’s capacity or accustomed to. Muscle soreness also happens when the same muscles are used repetitively for extended periods.

You are training, after all. You push yourself to the limits to get better. Thus, soreness should be expected.

But why rest first? Why not get a massage?

First of all, massages are costly. Second, maybe rest is all you need to recover. Rest will help your body repair itself and allow your muscle fibers rebuild.

As you rest and recover, your range of motion will return to normal. Signs of muscle improvement will be evident. Not resting will do the exact opposite.

The key here is listening to what your body is telling you. Measure your levels of effort, response, stresses, and progressions. Learn the warning signs of your body. This will help you avoid injuries and maybe not need a massage altogether.

WHEN DO YOU NEED MASSAGES?

A massage is needed if you’re feeling more sore than usual. If you can’t function normally (like walk, lift or do anything without feeling pain) then maybe you should get a massage. Simple corrective stretching, light rubs, and deep massages might help.

Massages should be incorporated in the rest phase. If you’re just training, be sure to allow enough cool-down time after your workout. Provide 15-20 minutes on the part of the body that requires the most attention.

Let’s be clear here: a post-workout massage is a cool-down session. A massage after workouts helps flush lactic acid build up out of muscle fiber and reduces recovery time.

WHAT TYPE OF MASSAGES DO YOU NEED?

Deep massages are preferred. A good deep massage alleviates knots that have developed in your muscles. It should only be scheduled when you have time to rest after.

Sports massage is also an option. It employs numerous stretching techniques to help your body heal. If you’re a pro, regular sessions can help improve performance in the ring.

If you’re simply training, then a deep tissue massage will suffice. You can do this with a foam roller. It improves joint motion and overall muscle recovery. The deep tissue massage works out muscle knots and tight muscles.

Regular rolling is a good part of any recovery program. But mind you, doing it will hurt. It’s because the motion releases muscles that have seized up or have become restricted.

FINAL WORDS

The number one reason for needing post-workout massages is over training. You should always push your limits during training. But don’t forget to rest, heal and recover.

Learn when to back off. Give yourself time to recover. If you get injured, give yourself more time.

Rest is crucial. If you have a massage and don’t rest, your workout and massage will be useless. Understand that recovery means letting your body repair itself. Aside from getting a massage, you should also get enough sleep, be hydrated, stretch, manage your stress and eat a nutritious diet.